Non preoccuparti
Don't worry
Phrase in 30 Seconds
The essential Italian way to tell a friend 'don't worry' or 'it's okay' when they apologize or feel anxious.
- Means: 'Don't worry' or 'No problem' in a friendly, informal context.
- Used in: Responding to apologies, minor accidents, or comforting a stressed friend.
- Don't confuse: Use 'Non si preoccupi' for bosses, elders, or strangers.
Explanation at your level:
意味
Trying to comfort someone.
文化的背景
Italians use 'Non preoccuparti' to maintain 'bella figura'. It’s often accompanied by a specific hand gesture: a slight wave of the hand as if brushing away a fly. In the South, you might hear 'Statte tranquillo' (Stay calm/quiet) which is a more dialectal and warm way of saying don't worry. Even in modern Italian startups, the shift from 'Non si preoccupi' to 'Non preoccuparti' happens quickly as a sign of team bonding. Italian mothers are famous for worrying ('preoccuparsi'). A child saying 'Mamma, non preoccuparti!' is a very common household sound.
The 'Ti' Rule
If you find 'Non preoccuparti' hard to say, you can say 'Non ti preoccupare'. It's the same meaning and sometimes easier to pronounce.
Watch the Register
Never say this to your Italian father-in-law the first time you meet him! Stick to 'Non si preoccupi' until he asks you to use 'tu'.
意味
Trying to comfort someone.
The 'Ti' Rule
If you find 'Non preoccuparti' hard to say, you can say 'Non ti preoccupare'. It's the same meaning and sometimes easier to pronounce.
Watch the Register
Never say this to your Italian father-in-law the first time you meet him! Stick to 'Non si preoccupi' until he asks you to use 'tu'.
Add 'Figurati'
For a very natural sound, combine them: 'Non preoccuparti, figurati!'. It makes you sound like a native speaker.
自分をテスト
Choose the correct informal response to: 'Scusa per il ritardo!'
A friend is late. What do you say?
'Non preoccuparti' is the correct informal form with the reflexive pronoun.
Fill in the missing pronoun for the informal command.
Non preoccupar___, andrà tutto bene!
The pronoun 'ti' is used for the informal 'tu' form.
Match the phrase to the correct person.
To whom would you say 'Non si preoccupi'?
'Non si preoccupi' is the formal version used with superiors or strangers.
Complete the dialogue with the most natural phrase.
A: 'Ho rotto un bicchiere, mi dispiace!' B: '________, ne abbiamo molti altri.'
'Non preoccuparti' is used to dismiss an apology for a minor accident.
🎉 スコア: /4
ビジュアル学習ツール
よくある質問
5 問Yes, they are identical in meaning. The pronoun 'ti' can go at the end or before the verb in negative commands.
Only with colleagues you are close with. With a boss, always use 'Non si preoccupi'.
If you are talking to more than one person, say 'Non preoccupatevi'.
Yes, it is often used exactly like 'No problem' in English when responding to an apology.
Only if used with someone who requires a formal register. Otherwise, it is very kind and polite.
関連フレーズ
Non si preoccupi
specialized formDon't worry (formal)
Tranquillo
synonymCalm / No worries
Figurati
similarDon't mention it
Non fa niente
similarIt doesn't matter
どこで使う?
Running late for dinner
Luca: Scusa, il bus è in ritardo! Arrivo tra dieci minuti.
Giulia: Non preoccuparti, Luca! Ti aspettiamo qui.
Spilling a drink
Marco: Oh no! Ho macchiato la tovaglia!
Elena: Non preoccuparti, è vecchia. Si lava facilmente.
Forgetting a small item
Sara: Ho dimenticato di portare il caricabatterie.
Paolo: Non preoccuparti, puoi usare il mio.
Nervous about a test
Studente: Ho paura di fallire l'esame di domani.
Amico: Non preoccuparti, hai studiato tantissimo!
Texting apology
Chiara: Scusa se rispondo solo ora, ero al lavoro.
Matteo: Non preoccuparti, figurati!
Borrowing money
Davide: Ti ridò i soldi domani, promesso.
Simone: Non preoccuparti, non c'è fretta.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of 'Non' (No) and 'Pre-occupy'. Don't let your mind be occupied before the problem even happens!
Visual Association
Imagine a tiny Italian waiter sweeping away a small pile of dust (the worry) with a smile and a shrug.
Rhyme
Se un errore fai tu, non preoccuparti più!
Story
Marco spills red wine on Sofia's white rug. He is terrified. Sofia smiles, puts a hand on his shoulder, and says 'Non preoccuparti'. She knows it's just a rug, and their friendship is more important.
Word Web
チャレンジ
Next time you see a friend looking slightly stressed or if they apologize for something small, say 'Non preoccuparti' with a warm smile.
In Other Languages
No te preocupes
Italian uses 'Non' while Spanish uses 'No'.
Ne t'inquiète pas
French uses a different verb root (inquiéter).
Mach dir keine Sorgen
German uses a noun ('Sorgen') instead of a verb.
心配しないで (Shinpai shinaide)
Japanese relies on verb-ending levels for politeness rather than pronouns.
لا تقلق (La taqlaq)
Arabic does not use a reflexive pronoun in this common form.
别担心 (Bié dānxīn)
The literal imagery is about 'carrying' a heart rather than 'occupying' a mind.
걱정하지 마세요 (Gokjeong-haji maseyo)
Korean requires specific honorific endings that Italian handles with 'tu' vs 'Lei'.
Não se preocupe
Portuguese often places the pronoun 'se' before the verb even in informal speech.
Easily Confused
Learners forget the reflexive 'ti'.
Always remember that in Italian, you worry *yourself*.
Sounds similar but means 'Are you busy?'.
Occupato = Busy; Preoccupato = Worried.
よくある質問 (5)
Yes, they are identical in meaning. The pronoun 'ti' can go at the end or before the verb in negative commands.
Only with colleagues you are close with. With a boss, always use 'Non si preoccupi'.
If you are talking to more than one person, say 'Non preoccupatevi'.
Yes, it is often used exactly like 'No problem' in English when responding to an apology.
Only if used with someone who requires a formal register. Otherwise, it is very kind and polite.